[And he just...listens to that, and if he's off-put by any of it, it isn't obvious in his reaction; he's always been very hands-off when it comes to emotional topics, and it seems this isn't going to be much different, really.

But he does take it in, and while he isn't exactly empathetic he doesn't seem annoyed, either.]

I never really got along with people back home, myself. At one point I had a group of people that I would meet with on Sundays; we shared a common interest, but that was about the extent of any fond thoughts I held toward them, and I don't see them anymore. Recently all of my time has been spent around a group of people that tolerate me at best and hate me at worst; they "like" me because I'm useful, and they've made it very clear what will happen to me the second I stop.

So the idea of not having friends, of spending time around those that can't be considered anything of the sort...it's familiar to me.

[He laughs a bit; the sound is a bit odd.]

Don't let me depress you, though - and I believe I've met this woman you've mentioned. Miss Lauren Mallard, isn't it? She's...interesting.

I was sure to tell her that you've told me all about the merits of embracing Strex, and that you've done a good amount to enlighten me about the glory of your Smiling God. Given what you've told me about how much you value productivity, I imagined it would be good for her to hear something like that, so at the very least she couldn't accuse you of not doing your job.